Suspension Design for Linear Toe Curves: A Case Study in Mechanism Synthesis

Abstract

We present an algorithm for synthesizing the attachment point locations of the tie-rod of an automotive suspension, to achieve linear toe change characteristics with jounce and rebound of the wheel. This behavior is considered desirable for achieving good ride and handling. The algorithm reduces the synthesis problem to the computation of the center and normal of a circle, given the coordinates of 3 points on the circle. This procedure is significant because it eliminates numerous cycles of design iterations in traditional analysis-based design methods. Furthermore, the locus of acceptable solutions allows the designer to comply with suspension packaging constraints.